Country Director – Syria, Lebanon

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization established to partner with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disasters. The organization aims to save lives, build resilience, and promote long-term health and well-being. With a workforce of over 4,000 staff and local volunteers, RI operates in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, focusing on Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods programming. RI is an alliance of three organizations: Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, and Relief International-UK, all working under a unified leadership team to achieve their shared mission.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director for Syria and Lebanon will be tasked with leading and adapting Relief International’s mission in Syria while overseeing operations in Lebanon. This role is crucial as it involves navigating the complexities of the current situation in Syria and ensuring the sustainability of operations amidst funding challenges. The Country Director will be responsible for strategic visioning, resource mobilization, and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including donors and government authorities. The position requires a dynamic leader with experience in external engagement, representation, and fundraising, as well as the ability to manage change and implement effective strategies in both countries. The role also involves ensuring that the country programs are aligned with the new governance realities in Syria and adapting strategies accordingly to maintain operational effectiveness and relevance with donors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Director will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Strategic Visioning and Resource Mobilization: Building on existing activities in Syria and Lebanon to create actionable programs, developing alliances with partners and donors, and advocating for policy changes.
• External Representation: Maintaining strong relationships with government authorities, engaging with donor governments, and representing RI in relevant clusters and interagency forums.
• Quality Program Operational Delivery: Identifying and resolving complex operational issues, ensuring timely project funding and delivery, and leading country-specific objectives.
• security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Risk Management: Overseeing project implementation, ensuring staff safety and security, and maintaining compliance with organizational policies.
• Team Leadership: Managing national and expatriate staff, ensuring effective performance management, and fostering a positive work culture.
• Behavior and Conduct: Upholding the highest standards of behavior, promoting RI’s values, and ensuring accountability within the team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a deep understanding of the contexts in Syria and/or Lebanon, with a proven track record in representation and fundraising. They should have progressive leadership experience in implementing large-scale multi-sector programs in complex environments, along with experience in change management. A degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience is required. Strong interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and strategic planning skills are essential, as well as excellent project management abilities. The ideal candidate will also have coaching and mentoring skills to effectively manage teams and navigate complex environments.

Educational Background:
A degree in a relevant field is required, although commensurate work experience may be considered in lieu of formal education. The educational background should ideally align with the responsibilities of managing large-scale programs and leading teams in challenging contexts.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in country leadership roles, particularly in implementing multi-sector programming in complex settings. Experience in managing change within country teams and a history of successful fundraising and representation are critical. Familiarity with the operational challenges in Syria and Lebanon will be a significant advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable. Proficiency in other languages relevant to the region may also be beneficial, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position requires a commitment to travel, with approximately 25% of the time spent traveling to Lebanon and within Syria. The role is classified as requiring advanced pre-employment checks and enhanced due diligence. The Country Director will oversee a budget of approximately $15 million USD, which includes the Syria and Lebanon country portfolios. The position is full-time and involves significant leadership responsibilities, including ensuring the safety and well-being of staff in complex environments.